Aboitiz InfraCapital breaks ground on 57-hectare LIMA Estate industrial expansion

The newest development is expected to bring an additional 22,000 jobs for surrounding communities 

Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, recently broke ground on the 57-hectare industrial expansion of the LIMA Estate (LIMA) to host new locators and create an additional 22,000 jobs for the surrounding communities in the Lipa-Malvar industrial corridor.

The development is part of the larger 150-hectare expansion to bring new inventory to market for new locators in South Luzon, which will be executed by Aboitiz Construction.

During the groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday, March 22, LIMA Land, Inc. President and AIC Economic Estates Head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa shared that the Estate has more than doubled its size to nearly 1,000 hectares since it was acquired by Aboitiz in 2013—opening the area to new investments and more job opportunities.

“As we continue to welcome new locators and businesses to LIMA, there will be continuous transformation of the Estate, through the introduction of new product lines, smart city features, and sustainability initiatives—all meant to cater to increasingly discerning and sophisticated businesses, while also raising the standard of development in the countryside.”

- Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, LIMA Land, Inc. President and AIC Economic Estates Head

Fernandez de Mesa also shared the upcoming development of the PEZA-registered LIMA Tower One, currently in the process of acquiring BERDE-accreditation, along with the LIMA Estate’s partnership with the Philippine Green Building Council to participate in a pilot program for District Certification, which upon completion will make LIMA the first Industrial Estate in the country to receive the green certification.

AIC President and Chief Executive Officer Cosette Canilao expressed her optimism in harnessing the strategic location of the LIMA Estate in the economic powerhouse that is South Luzon— one of the country’s most attractive investment hotspots.

“This expansion is envisioned to support and enable international and domestic enterprises who would like to locate or expand in South Luzon. I am confident that soon, LIMA will be widely recognized as an economic hub and center of progress in the region, uplifting the lives of thousands and thousands of Filipinos.”

- Cosette Canilao, AIC President and Chief Executive Officer

Meanwhile, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Zone Manager Ma. Jose Geremi Manas welcomed the timeliness of the expansion, as he spoke on behalf of PEZA Director General BGen. Charito Plaza.

“[While our Director General BGen. Charito Plaza] is on an investment mission abroad— she is very much aware of this (groundbreaking) and I’m very sure she will boast this expansion of LIMA to our future investors.”

- Ma. Jose Geremi Manas, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Zone Manager

As the province of Batangas emerges as a major economic and investment hub, Assistant Provincial Administrator Colin Berberabe Garcia believes that the creation of job opportunities through the expansion puts the LIMA Estate at the forefront of sustainable development.

Sharing his remarks on behalf of Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Garcia said, “Employment gives our people a chance to grow, a chance to hope, and it will also give them a sense of purpose.”

Similarly, Malvar Municipal Mayor Cristeta Reyes shared that the development of the LIMA Estate propelled Malvar’s growth and development, from being the 4th richest town in Batangas to ranking 2nd richest—following Nasugbu— in terms of local government assets in the past year.

“This (Malvar) is a small town, but my vision was focused on growth and development…[There] is appreciation from different towns— [as] we have gathered a lot of residents from different towns accommodating them for employment.”

- Malvar Municipal Mayor Cristeta Reyes

The groundbreaking ceremony also saw guests from the Japanese Locators Association, Japan External Trade Organization, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, alongside current locators and brokers of the LIMA Estate.

As the country’s largest privately-owned industrial estate, LIMA is a mixed-use development hosting 130 locators, 167 retail stores and restaurants, the 138-room 4-star LIMA Park Hotel, the LIMA Transport Hub, and over 2,000 households.